Optical Cases(HKTDC Optical,2006)

Optical
Cases

The Boutique Collection
from Astucci Int'l Ltd features hard spectacles cases with handles in
pretty hues such as fuchsia and pastel green

Whether prescription lenses,
zany sunglasses or essential safety wear, eyeglasses form both daily necessities
and trendy fashion accessories. Most eyeglasses also come with handy carrying
cases - and that means lucrative business for Hong Kong manufacturers.

Confirming this is 1996-established
Astucci Int'l Ltd, a highly experienced and renowned manufacturer of spectacles
cases. "We are very strong at the design stage and also at sourcing good materials,"
says sales executive Chris Yeung. "In terms of optical goods, we see Hong
Kong as a regional centre for fashions, new products and new materials."

According to Yeung, the
firm's R&D department is quick to identify new trends. "It is essential
to please existing clients and attract new ones, so we must always be at the
top of our game," he says.

Demand is also broad.
"Buyers from the developed world are cosmopolitan and demand colourful styles
and high-quality materials. They absorb the higher costs as they believe they
need better goods to provide new opportunities and build a bigger market share."

However, buyers from Southeast
Asia generally opt for standard materials and plainer designs. "They are more
concerned about prices," he adds.

Astucci makes a wide variety
of cases in two categories: those suitable for cosmetic frames and others
designed for prescription eyeglasses. "Our range of hard cases use a variety
of metals, PU, synthetic and/or real leather, aluminium, plastic and wood,"
says Yeung. "We also have stitched, soft pouches with zippers."

Major export markets are
the US, Europe and Japan, while Astucci is also developing new markets in
Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South America. "We also manufacture for
some big brand-name companies, from whom we hold licences," Yeung says. "This
is why we are so well-known in the market, especially in the US."

Astucci's plants are on
the Chinese mainland, and minimum order size is 3,000 optical cases for production
items or 100 optical cases ex-stock. Delivery is 45 days after order confirmation,
depending on the item.

Another highly active
firm is 1987-established Kong Lung Mfy Ltd, which exports medium- to high-end
spectacles cases across the world. "We have plastic, metal, aluminium and
soft pouch spectacles cases," says general manager Connie Wong. "We have models
for men and women, and aluminium designs are most popular at present."

She says the firm is always
trying to create new, fashionable items. "We have our own designers who work
closely with our marketing people, as it is essential to keep in touch with
the latest fashions. We are also competitive, and our prices are based on
the intricacy of the case design and the materials used."

Wong says that buyers
of titanium frames usually ask for aluminium cases sprayed in the same colour
as the frames. "If multicolour effects are required, we will use a colour
spray and water transfer system to combine different finishes," she explains.

Injection moulded plastic
cases, finished with PP or PVC, are available for minimum orders of 5,000
pieces for delivery 45 days after order confirmation. Production takes place
at a 1,300-worker, 15,000-square-metre factory in Shenzhen on the mainland.

"Our wooden cases are
selling well," says marketing assistant Joe Cheung. "These are usually handmade,
with a quality finish using PVC or PU leatherette," he says. "We also use
aluminium and other metals."

The wooden cases are larger
than their metal counterparts, making them highly suitable for large frames
used in sunglasses, he claims.

Production takes place
at a 1,700-square-metre factory in Guangzhou on the mainland. Minimum orders
are 5,000 pieces per style for metal cases, and 1,000 pieces per style for
wooden cases. Delivery is 60 days after order confirmation.

Veteran manufacturer Tai
Shing Mfy Ltd is also offering a broad range of optical cases. "We started
out about 35 years ago with simple cases and have since evolved with the industry
to make complex, boutique-style models," explains marketing manager Andy Lam.

"While most of our cases
are plastic, we also have metal models using steel or aluminium. We cover
some of these with genuine leather and others with PU imitation leather. We
also produce transparent cases and cloth pouches," he says.

New shapes are available,
as well as cases featuring combinations of different materials. "Previously,
cases would be made of a single material," says Lam. "Today, to make a unique,
fashionable design, we will use any combination of plastic and metal. The
general design may be minimalist, but we focus on distinctive detailing on
the outer case. Otherwise we make according to the customer's specifications."

Production takes place
at a 100,000-square-metre, 800-worker factory in Shenzhen. Minimum order is
1,200 cases per style and delivery time is 35-40 days.

Demonstrating that whether
the need is for something spectacular or just a plain-Jane pleaser, Hong Kong
is always on the case.

I acknowledge that the above information may be used by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for incorporation in all or any of its database for direct marketing or business matching purpose (and may therefore become available to the public within and/or outside of Hong Kong for use by them), and for any other purposes as stated in the Privacy Policy Statement (available at http://www.hktdc.com/mis/pps/en); I confirm that I have the consent and the authority of each individual named in this form to release their personal data for the purposes stated herein.

(If you are from a member state of the European Union ("EU") / European Economic Area ("EEA")), PLEASE tick here if you accept our use of your provided data for direct marketing purposes.

*For non-EU/EEA customers, please skip this box which is solely for EU/EEA customers as required by the relevant data protection law in the EU.